March 12, 2001 (Day 5): 10.30am – Copenhagen
The train to Malmö Sweden departs from Platform 26, one of the mythical locations in the Copenhagen train station. To reach this platform from the station, one descends to Platform 5 and then proceeds 500 meters south, where the platform ends. From there, one goes up the stairs (or lift), then heads over 20 meters, crossing a few other tracks before going down to number 26. We probably passed the track for the Hogwarts Express while on our way.
There was a film crew on Platform 26. They approached us and asked if we were Swedish. Considering they had to repeat their question in English I suspect they had their answer. It seems Swedes in Denmark are big news.
Denmark has the oldest monarchy in Europe, dating to the 10th century.
2.45pm – X2000 train to Stockholm
Missed the 11.14 express train to Stockholm but they seem to be running hourly so we are not so terribly bad off.
The delay gave us time to get Swedish currency and a phone card at the station in Malmö. I tried my hand at Swedish while attempting to obtain the phone card using the “McNulty method,” so-named after an actor I saw onstage. Playing the role of a German scholar, Mr. McNulty effortlessly imbued this character with accent like the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show. To use this technique, I saw the Swedish word for “phone card” and pronounced it as I thought Mr. McNulty would believe it would sound in German. Since I ended up with a phone card in the denomination expected at the end of this transaction, I consider this approach a success.
The 7.8km (4.8 mile) Oresend Bridge connecting Copenhagen with Malmö was opened on 1 July, 2000. It has four lanes for traffic and a deck for train traffic.
Heading for Stockholm aboard the “X2000” train – a wonderful name evoking the secret weapons or inventions of mad scientists in 1950’s B-movies (that is to say, “X2000”, not “Stockholm”).
The attendant in our carriage – “Katja”, as I have dubbed her – keeps things running efficiently. She pleasantly patrols the aisle, her three-foot plait of blond hair swaying with the efficiency of a metronome. She brought us some coffee before asking to see our tickets – always an ideal way to make my acquaintance. She then told us she was “gonna” be back with a “little lunch” for us later. Many of the Swedes I know have an ability to master the American accent better than most Americans. “Katja” has mastered Minnesotan.
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